Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has publicly backed Enzo Maresca to excel in his new role as Manchester City manager, taking over from the long-serving Pep Guardiola. As the two clubs prepare to face off in the Community Shield in Cardiff this Sunday, Arteta emphasized his belief that Maresca possesses the necessary character and tactical expertise to thrive at the Etihad Stadium.
Reflecting on his former mentor, Arteta described Guardiola as the greatest coach in football history. Having served as Guardiola’s assistant during a four-year tenure at City, Arteta credited the Spaniard with elevating the Premier League to unprecedented levels. Guardiola, who secured 20 major trophies during his decade-long stint, leaves a significant void, but Arteta remains confident that the club has made a sound appointment in Maresca.
Arteta noted that Maresca’s selection was deliberate, citing the former Chelsea manager’s proven track record across various levels of the game. He expressed no doubt that Maresca would maintain City’s competitive edge, noting that the club’s decision-makers chose him for the right reasons based on his demonstrated knowledge and personality.
The upcoming Community Shield match marks the first major test for Maresca since Guardiola’s departure at the end of last season. While City finished as runners-up to Arsenal in the Premier League, they successfully claimed both the FA Cup and the League Cup under Guardiola’s final leadership. Arteta, who recently guided Arsenal to their first league title in 22 years, acknowledged the challenge of facing a new-look City side.
Regarding his own squad, Arteta confirmed that England internationals Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka are in contention to feature in Sunday’s fixture. Fans may also get their first look at new signings Bruno Guimaraes and Christos Tzolis, who are expected to be involved in the matchday squad.
Arteta expressed enthusiasm about the start of the new campaign, stating that the team is eager to compete for the first available trophy. He stressed that Arsenal aims to deliver their best performance to set a positive tone for the season ahead, noting that all international players have returned to training.
When questioned about potential transfer activity, including reports linking the Gunners to Bayer Leverkusen defender Jarell Quansah and previous interest in Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa, Arteta remained tight-lipped. He declined to discuss specific individuals but reaffirmed the club’s broader commitment to squad evolution.
The Arsenal boss reiterated that the club’s primary objective remains the continuous improvement of the roster. He emphasized that the ambition of the organization is to keep evolving the squad to ensure they remain capable of achieving their competitive goals throughout the upcoming season.
As both teams look toward the future, the Community Shield serves as a significant opening chapter for the post-Guardiola era at Manchester City. Arteta’s respect for his former colleague remains evident, yet his focus is firmly on securing a victory to begin Arsenal’s title defense on a high note. The report also notes that arteta expects Maresca to do an ‘unbelievable job’ at Man City.
